queenwinniesmom

I'm so sorry you lost your precious Desiree. How you loved her! Her spirit will live on in your beautiful artwork.

Oh, Iris, I'm so sorry. I know how hard it's been dealing with 2 dogs fighting the monster. Run free, sweet Morty.

Ah, Grace.....she looks absolutely beautiful! In more ways than one. It's amazing how resilient they are, even through a long haul like this. I guess lots of prayers help too, and she certainly had those. As well as a Mom who hung in there with her every step of the way. You're both remarkable. I'm so glad she's doing REALLY well.

Lots of good advice here, even though each dog is different. But there is a common thread---don't second guess your decision once you have made it. It's good that you are clear in what you think is best. Your are doing everything right---asking questions, moving quickly, being realistic, consulting with the most knowledgeable vets. For us, the most agonizing time was before we decided to do Winnie's amputation, and in retrospect, I wouldn't have waited that long. But we hadn't dealt with osteo before (only lymphosarcoma), and didn't know what to expect. But we learned a lot, and so will you. I hope you'll check back here often, for support and info, and also to let us know how your boy is doing. We did do the biopsy, but I don't really think, looking back, that I would do it again. It does weaken an already weak area, and the leg needed to come off anyway because it would have shattered (which it did when they did the amp). You mentioned X-raying the back legs. I could be wrong, but I don't think osteo usually moves to the other limbs right away. It would more likely metasticize in the lungs first. You should do the chest X-ray. If there are lung mets, the osteo has already progressed. I think we would have just chosen palliative treatment had Winnie's X-rays shown lung mets. But the X-rays were clear, so we did the amp (right hind leg). She was a textbook case of everthing RIGHT! And we were extremely lucky. Our regular, wonderful vets did the surgery, and I felt totally comfortable with that. An amputation, though the surgical site looks ghastly if you don't know what to expect, is mostly soft tissue trauma. Of course, more may be involved with the front leg amp if it is in the shoulder. I almost feel bad saying this, but our vet charged us $200! Yes, that's $200, not $2,000, which is what I had expected! And that included 5 days hospitalization because they didn't want us taking her home right away, due to the steps she needed to do to get into our house (we have a tenant on the first floor, and live on the second and third floors). Aside from not doing those steps for almost a month (we'd fixed up our tenant's Florida room for her), she had almost no problems. But I've known dogs who had lots of problems. It helps to have knowledgeable, experienced vets---OSU's the best---but cancer is a crapshoot. That's kind of my mantra. We do everything we can, and sometimes it's enough, and sometimes it isn't. Just know, and remember, that your decisions are made out of love, and what you believe is right for your boy. Though we chose not to do the chemo, we were blessed to have Winnie with us for 3 1/2 years after the amp, kind of a record, I think. When we lost her in October, it was due to kidney failure, not the osteo. I'm glad to see that Deuce from Indianapolis is still fighting the good fight. Winnie was kind of an inspiration for his family, and we and Winnie were lucky to meet him and his Mom and Dad in Gettysburg. Now maybe he can be your inspiration. Wishing the best for Dempsey.

Due to the holiday, I hadn't seen the previous thread---thanks for posting the link. I am just stunned, trying to imagine what you've gone through at what is supposed to be such a joyful time. What a terrible shock. It must be doubly hard for you to comprehend her loss---so sudden, so young, and on Christmas Eve! I'm so sorry you lost your precious girl. Getting their ashes back is very emotional as well, but I think many of us find comfort in knowing they are "home" again. The finality of that can be overwhelmingly sad, but it allows us to proceed in our grief, hopefully to a stage beyond that bewilderment caused by such a sudden loss. I'm glad that she got to come into the resturant with you. Knowing that she wouldn't have been allowed, had she been there in "canine", might have made you smile. And I think she would have liked that. I actually carried my Nick's ashes on several vacations with me, once meaning to scatter some of them ( I just can't let them all go), but I didn't find just the right time. So he just came with us, and came home with us. I think I might do that again. Again, I'm so sorry for your loss.

Oh, that is so sad. I'm sorry you had to make that heartbreaking decision when she had been with you such a short time. But, of course, you couldn't have taken the chance of her being in even more pain. But it's true that they live in the moment, and in that month, she knew she was safe and very loved. I'm so sorry you didn't have more time together. She truly deserved the wonderful home she'd finally found.

Wow, that is a big hurdle to be over. I can't imagine how hard it was for you to sit there waiting for word about your boy. But that is encouraging news. Continued prayers for Dear to be home soon and on his way to recovery.

Oh, I'm so sorry. It just seems overwhelming---too many precious Greys and their families dealing with this heartbreaking news. Can you try the artemisinin? Sending prayers and white light.

I'm so sorry that you've lost your precious Lacey. What a brave and beautiful girl she was, and she fought the good fight. I've followed her story and her battles, and was in awe of her indomitable spirit. Of course, having a Mom and Dad who loved her as much as you do, was a huge part of that fight. Your Dr. Greene was right---she was lucky to have her wonderful family. But you are right too---you clearly shared a love strong enough for her to send you a sign that she is safe, and running free from pain. Such a sad and difficult time for you and your family. Sending continued prayers for strength and healing.

Pat, I've never met you or your magnificent Barbie Jade, but to me, the 2 of you stood out amongst the many people and hounds on Greytalk. You for your sage advice, humor and empathy when someone's heart was broken. And the Queen for being a true force to be reckoned with, a voice and personality so strong that you were able to translate her larger than life spirit so eloquently into human words. That comes from a deep understanding of a dog that you felt blessed to share your life with. You were able to share that with all of us, and we felt as if we knew her. While we can share your sorrow and shock, there is a part of her that belongs only to you, and a part of you that is hers forever. There will always be that bond, private and unique, that comes when a person and a dog are made stronger and better because they are together, because they so clearly have found who they were meant to be with.Your heart is broken now, and I know we all wish that there was something magic we could say or do to be of comfort or erase your pain. The suddenness makes it doubly hard. Though it may seem impossible now, I hope that in time that pain will be eased by knowing that she stayed with you as long as she could. Maybe a long illness or gradual decline would have given you some time to try to be emotionally prepared. But I wonder if she would have wanted that. Because it was in October that I lost Winnie, I can't help but think of my brave Queen, and how she left on her own terms, exactly the way she lived her life as much as possible. Winnie beat the monster, but when she couldn't do the things she'd fought so hard to continue doing, when her kidneys failed, she chose to leave us 2 days before we went to Dewey. Too proud to be seen as anything less than Queenly by her many admirers, she told us it was time. Maybe Barbie Jade felt that way too. She was an exceptional dog, and I hope that one day soon, your many precious memories will bring more smiles than tears.

I'm so sorry you and your precious boy are having to go through this. I can totally understand how you are feeling. Such a shock to have a sudden break, and then have to deal with osteo too. It's difficult to get your mind around it. But I'm glad you've made a decision. As Dr. Feeman said, there is no pain med strong enough to overcome the pain of a broken leg, or the pain of osteo, the most painful of the cancers. Getting the leg off quickly will spare Christoffe that pain. There are lots of people here who will tell you about their dog's amputations, so please keep us up to date with his recovery, and how he's doing. Circle of Grey is a good place to go for advice as well as support too. Don't second guess your decision---you did the right thing. And try to get some sleep before he comes home! Sending prayers and white light for a successful surgery, and quick recovery.

I'm so sorry you've lost your beautiful girl.

Karen, I'm so sorry you lost your sweet old man. Though your lovely tribute made me cry, it also brought a smile. How well you understood him, and how you loved him. He was exactly where he should have been, and you were all so blessed to have shared each other's lives.

Oh, the poor little girl. She'd been through so much. What a shame that she didn't make it. I'm so sorry.

Hoping that Mia is feeling better ASAP, and that you can find out what's wrong.

Sending prayers and white light for Lacey and her family.

Sweet boy...give him a gentle hug. Sending good thoughts for a quick and uneventful recovery!

Oh, no! I'm so sorry you've lost your precious boy. How sad that you didn't have more time together. Thank-you for a beautiful tribute to a magnificent dog. He truly seemed exceptional, and I can understand how deeply you and Raven are feeling his loss. Knowing him as well as you did, and loving him so much, don't you think he'll send you someone to ease your pain, and help his sweet Raven to feel secure again? I'm sure he will.

Carrier's pictures (well, this whole thread, actually) brought tears to my eyes. Not because they were graphic, but because he looks so wonderful, and you can just feel the love you share. And Dr. Couto---not only is he an exceptional vet, and amazingly generous, he's funny too! May the many prayers going out for you and your sweet boy lift your spirits, and hasten the healing process. Oh, I clicked on the Scooby link, and loved reading about your experience there. You lived my dream!

Iris, I really hope that Morty has good results from the chemo. Sending hugs, and prayers (to Saullie too).

Sherry---thanks for posting. Not to make you feel bad, but I've been checking here and GRTB about 10 times a day to see if there was any news! I was afraid that no news was bad news. I perhaps panic more than you do! Well, there, now that I've made you feel guilty, I'm encouraged by what the vet said. Seriously. I think what we have to do is assume that they are okay, so that we can be okay for them. Of course, I am the person who freaked out because Tess was vomiting for 2 days. I was sure it was a blockage or something horrible, so I actually snuck out of work to take her to the vets to find out that she was fine. I think she must have gotten into the cat litter! Non-clumping, but with some really tasty "treats". Harley, just have sweet jumping dreams for a while. Don't do this!

I know how you're feeling. Though it's hard, please try not to let your sadness overshadow the miracle of your time together now. He is living in the moment, and knows how much he is loved. Though a Mom's intuition is strong, I hope you and Max have much more quality time together.

Sherry, waiting for news about Harley. Hoping for the best.... Let us know.

Oh, Sherry, I can feel your fear and concern. And I can understand it. I'm exactly the same way. Usually tending to over-react, but then thinking that many times my fears have been justified. I'm not going to tell you not to worry (well, you can TRY not to), but when we're afraid something is wrong, and we don't know what it is (or are afraid of what we THINK it is), it just consumes all of our thoughts. So, even if it is NOT what you are dreading most, you're going to worry till you find out. We are all sending out prayers and white light to you and Harley, and hoping that he is fine. He's such a dear, happy, innocent guy, filled with such joy just to be here. It would be unbearable to think of him being sick. I'm sorry I missed seeing you at Dewey. And I haven't been on the GRTB board as much as before. I just haven't managed to find my "voice" since my precious Queen went to the Bridge. So please check in here too, if you can. There is a lot of support. And let us know how your sweet Court Jumper is doing. Hugs, Nancy

Trish, I'm so sorry you've lost your precious boy. I know your heart is breaking. Don't worry that you haven't written his beautiful tribute yet. I said on CoG that we have already seen part of that tribute, by being able to share this very special boy, and by seeing the love that you brought to each other's lives. That is a tribute to Peatie that will live on as long as he is remembered by the many people who's lives he touched.